Manager Paul Lambert has been sacked by Ipswich Town.
The Town boss, as well as assistant manager Stuart Taylor, leaves Portman Road following a week of speculation regarding a potential takeover and with the club sitting eighth in League One, two points off the final play-off place.
The club described their departure as being 'by mutual consent' with Lambert's exit coming 35 days after this newspaper called for his departure and with a host of supporters groups making their feelings clear via protests, banners and statements.
His final game was Saturday's 2-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers, after which we understand he appeared to say his goodbyes to the playing staff in the dressing room, effectively saying 'I don't know if I will be here for the next game but go on and do it for yourselves'.
Paul Cook has been strongly linked with the Ipswich job in recent days and is a candidate well known to owner Marcus Evans, though he is not expected to be in charge for Tuesday night's visit to Accrington Stanley. Matt Gill and goalkeeping coach Jimmy Walker are likely to be in charge at the Wham Stadium, having played increasingly important roles in recent weeks while Taylor has been away from the club for personal reasons.
In his final interview as Town boss, Lambert repeatedly stated his belief he would '99% lose his job' if there was to be a takeover at the club, having previously spoken publicly of to voice feelings that 'the structure at the club is completely wrong'.
It's understood Lambert met with owner Marcus Evans on Thursday and again on Friday night, where it's thought details of a pay-off were discussed prior to Saturday's game in meetings involving a frank exchange of views. Lambert's contract ran until the summer of 2025 and he departs a little over a year after signing a five-year contract with the club.
A statement from Evans this evening reads: “I would like to put on record my sincere thanks to Paul and Stuart for their services to Ipswich Town over the last two and half years.
"I have enjoyed a healthy working relationship with Paul in our time together and he has brought a lot of positive aspects to the club.
“It has, however, become clear after holding discussions over the last few days that there are significant differences of opinion as to the order of immediate priorities and we agreed it was best for us to part company. I would like to wish both Paul and Stuart the best in the future.”
Lambert, who was in charge of Town as they were relegated from the Championship and oversaw an 11th-place finish in League One last season, won 37, drew 28 and lost 48 of his 113 games in charge.
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